Tough days ahead: Patients face inconvenience as OPD resumes in Amritsar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 29

The protest by doctors has started affecting medical services as a huge rush was seen at the out-patient department (OPD) registration counter of the Civil Hospital on Tuesday. Services resumed after public holidays and Monday’s strike by medical practitioners.

Dr Mridu Gupta, president, Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers’ Association (PSMDTA), said doctors were pushed to the wall and forced to protest against the 6th Pay Commission report. She said the responsibility for the inconvenience being caused to the general public is of the government.

Meanwhile, patients can face tough days ahead at the Government Medical College and Government Dental College here as doctors have announced to boycott all medical services except emergency and Covid care for three hours daily for seven days starting July 1.

While the OPD hours have been reduced at government hospitals due to the protests by doctors, patients said it resulted in overcrowding at the OPDs. “If the OPD is open for three hours a day instead of six hours, it is going to result in rush at hospitals. And, will it be possible to ensure that Covid-safety guidelines are followed?” asked Harjeet Singh, a visitor at the Civil Hospital.

With the GMC announcing the boycott of operation theatres, too, for three hours, it would result in delaying surgeries as well. Residents already complain of lack of facilities at government hospitals and with the ongoing protests, they are bound to suffer even more.

The faculty has announced to boycott all services from 8 am to 11 am. A meeting of the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers’ Association was held here on Tuesday during which the decision to intensify the protest was taken. The move would affect patients, as it would result in rush at OPDs.

Doctors are opposing the 6th Punjab Pay Commission report under which the non-practising allowance (NPA) has been decreased to 20 per cent from 25 per cent besides delinking it from the basic salary.

The faculty members also wore black badges to express their anguish on Tuesday. The PSMDTA members said classroom teaching of MBBS students would also be boycotted. However, teachers would be allowed to give online lectures after 11am. The association has also announced to burn the copies of the pay panel report on July 1.